Skin is the largest organ in the human body. As it is the biggest organ, it tends to face issues. Among the many issues related to the skin, eczema is a commonly known condition like psoriasis. Eczema is a condition, where the patches of the skin turn out to be rough, cracked, red, itchy and inflamed. Even, some individuals face blisters as well.
The term “Eczema” is otherwise used to talk about atopic dermatitis, which is the most common kind of eczema. Here, Atopic refers to the combination of diseases that involves the immune system. Examples include hay fever, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Here, dermatitis is nothing, but the inflammation of the skin. When some individuals, outgrow the condition, others will continue to have it all through the adulthood.
What Are The Symptoms and Signs Of Eczema?
Most patients with eczema complain about itching. Even though there are different types of eczema and the appearance look very much similar in all types, there are some differences. For instance, in some types, there will be the distribution of eruption, while in some there will be a bumpy skin. Some of the common types include stasis dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. While the former occurs in the lower leg, the latter is common behind the knee and in front of the elbow.
Is Eczema Contagious?
It is not contagious and an individual cannot get it from another. Studies show that the exact cause of eczema is not known. However, a combination of environmental triggers and genes make it happen in individuals. Whenever an allergen or irritant get into the immune system, the skin cells do not behave normally, thereby leading to eczema flare-ups.
Fast Facts About Eczema
Here are some important points to know about eczema before you get into eczema remedies at home:
- Some foods tend to trigger the symptoms of eczema like dairy products and nuts.
- Symptoms differ based on the age of the person with eczema. However, often the symptoms include patches of skin with itches and scaling of the skin.
- Certain environmental factors like pollen and smoke can trigger eczema. However, it is a condition that can be cured.
- Treatment of this skin condition pays attention to healing the damaged skin. Further, the treatment also aims at alleviating symptoms.
- Even though there is not yet a complete cure for eczema, you can manage the symptoms in an effective manner.
- Eczema is not a contagious condition.
Read more on Asteatotic Eczema
Home Remedies For Eczema
As you are looking for the remedies that can reduce the symptoms associated with eczema with some home remedies, here are certain remedies that will help:
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil coagulates when the external climate is less than 750F. So, you will more likely to see it like a white petroleum jelly. However, if you live in warm tropical coasts, where coconut palms grow in abundance, you will find it in liquid form. However, the semisolid to a solid state of this oil in colder places does not make it hard to apply.
How To Use Coconut Oil?
- You can use coconut oil for external application
- If your skin is very much rough in some areas, it tends to break. If this is the case, you can use a coconut oil bandage. To prepare a bandage, warm a tablespoon of coconut oil and dip a cotton pad in it. Place the oil-soaked pad over the rough spot and permit it to remain for about 15-20 minutes. After some time, pat-off the excess oil with a tissue paper.
- Otherwise, you can add 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil in a bucket of warm water and use it for bathing. Otherwise, you can also add 5 drops of skin-friendly essential oil like tea tree or lavender oil to get better therapeutic value.
- In addition, you can also use coconut oil for oil pulling and as a dietary supplement to prevent flare-ups.
How Does It Work?
Coconut oil is known for its excellent moisturizing properties. Further, it can nourish your skin to prevent further flare-ups. It has the excellent properties to relieve the itching caused by eczema. Due to its antimicrobial effect, it will fight bacteria. Further, this oil is known for its immunomodulation effect. Further, this oil is known for its excellent anti-inflammatory properties and so it is effective against eczema.
2. Rely On Turmeric
Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. You should aim at including at least a spoon of turmeric to your diet on a daily basis to fight eczema. You can also use turmeric externally to fight flare-ups.
How To Use Turmeric?
- You can make turmeric milk by mixing half a tablespoon of turmeric to milk. You can consume it internally to treat bacterial infections that cause itching and redness.
- Otherwise, you can add half a tablespoon of turmeric to boiling water. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. You can take this solution directly or you can use it for washing the affected area.
Alternative Method
Alternatively, you can make a paste by mixing a tablespoon each of turmeric powder and neem powder with water and apply it on the affected area to relieve rashes and itching.
How Does It Work?
Turmeric irrespective of the form you use has an active ingredient called curcumin. It is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Due to its antioxidant property, it will bring down the time taken for the skin to heal.